Branching Out Beyond the Flyback

Part 1: An Introduction to SMPS and the Decision Tree Choosing a familiar power supply topology can save design time, but relying on it for every application may create avoidable tradeoffs in efficiency, cost, and component stress. In part 1 of our Wurth Elektronik Watts Up Podcast series on Switched Mode Power Supplies (SMPS), we introduce a practical decision tree for selecting an SMPS topology. We begin with what "topology" means in a power converter, then consider three early design questions: does the application require isolation, what power level must it support, and is the input AC or DC? The discussion compares non-isolated buck and boost converters with isolated options including the isolated buck, flyback, forward, and LLC, and covers approaches, strengths, and limitations of each topology. This episode starts the framework for evaluating alternatives before drawing the schematic, and future episodes in this series will cover non-isolated converters, DC/DC topologies, and AC/DC design considerations. RELATED SOLUTIONS: SMPS Topologies Tips & Tricks Patch: https://www.we-online.com/files/pdf1/smps-topologies-and-tips-and-tricks.pdf Storage Applications: Power Inductors for SMPS Guide: https://www.we-online.com/components/media/o470289v410%20Filter-Storage%20Applications.pdf Listen to our PODCAST🎙️: https://www.we-online.com/en/news-center/podcast Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/wurth-elektronik (Americas) Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/wuerth-elektronik-group (Europe) Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WurthElectronics/ (Americas) Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Wuerth.Elektronik.Group/ (Europe) Follow us on X: https://x.com/WurthElectronic/ (Americas) Follow us on X: https://x.com/we_online (Europe) Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wurthelectronics (Americas) Würth Elektronik online: https://www.we-online.com/